ABSTRACT
Reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) is used to address optimization problems under uncertainty, where a set of design variables as well as random variables is utilized. In a typical problem, constraints on deterministic and probabilistic performance are used to specify acceptable design outcomes. This is often a concern when optimizing structures subjected to current design standards, which frequently incorporate a minimum required reliability level. In this chapter, RBDO is introduced, and the selection of basic problem components including the objective function, limit state function, problem constraints, and random and design variables is reviewed. A typical double-loop solution procedure is described, considering integration with gradient-based and simulation methods for optimization and reliability analysis. Discussion is provided to aid the selection of the optimizer and reliability algorithm, as well as methods of problem simplification to reduce computational effort. Three example RBDO problems and solution strategies, with an emphasis on efficient and accurate problem formulation, are discussed.
